WELLNESS AUTHOR
Isabel Meijering, DACM, L.Ac
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL & MENTAL PAIN n When it comes to experiencing physical and mental pain, are they separate?
I
n the world of Chinese medicine, physical and mental pain exist together. In fact, it’s difficult to completely separate the two. The organs of the body are split between the yin and yang organs, which work closely together. Each of these pairs is also categorized by the Chinese medicine elements, which have an attached emotion that manifests in the organs if not processed fully. If any emotion stays stagnant for too long, it manifests physically as well as emotionally. Here are some elements and common emotions and symptomology associated with them.
OCTOBER 2022
Metal // Grief
The organs associated are the lung (yin) and large intestine (yang). If you’ve experienced grief, have you noticed how it impacts your breathing? And even further, those who have a hard time letting things go may see symptomology in their large intestines including irregular bowel movements/ constipation or pain. Many people experience chest pain or heaviness when grief is unprocessed. The body wants you to process grief. Grief and/or a metal element out of balance may also manifest as skin rashes or issues.
50
Water // Fear
The organs here are the yin kidneys and the yang bladder. Have you ever been so afraid you peed yourself a little bit? Fear has the capability to keep us in fight or flight and can tax our adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys. When a lot of fear is present or hasn’t been processed over a period of time, many people report back pain and weakness around the lumbar or sacral spine and back of the bladder and kidneys. People who have adrenal fatigue or a long-standing water element out of balance may also experience hair loss.